RMT call off strike action

The union blamed the planned action on management “unilaterally” going back on a deal to minimise so-called rounder turns – where train operators undertake five return journeys in a day – because of poor air cooling on the Tube.

According to a statement issued this afternoon, LU met with the union on Monday “to clarify the working arrangements” and says the union now accepts that no drivers will work longer hours.

LU Chief Operating Officer, Howard Collins, said: “There was never any reason for this strike threat. No driver is being asked to work longer hours. We will simply be asking some drivers to do another round trip, so five round trips are undertaken, as they already are at weekends.”

“The change in working patterns, which had already been accepted by ASLEF, follows improvements we have made to working conditions, including air cooling in drivers’ cabs.”